About Us » Saint John of Chicago

+1 630-638-9462

112 Church Street, New Lenox, IL 60451

Special Services and Blessings

Who We Are

Some people say the Orthodox Church is like the Roman Catholic Church because of the elaborate services and similar approach to sacraments and saints. Others say the Orthodox Church is like the Protestant Church because of the rejection of papal claims and married priests.

In fact, neither of these ideas about the Orthodox Church is accurate. The Orthodox Church has services which are almost identical to the Roman Catholic Mass of the 12th century. (If you recall, the Orthodox and Roman Catholic church split in 1054 A.D.) Today, because of changes in the Roman Catholic Mass, there are great differences, but it is still possible to see common roots.

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If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

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by Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas
Professor of Orthodox Theology
Source: Hellenic Chronicle – Date: March 6th, 1997

I recently read an article in an Evangelical Christian magazine with the title “Why I’m Not Orthodox.” It was very negative and biased against our church. Could you comment on it? G.J.K., Tampa, FL

The article you are referring to was written by Daniel B. Clendenin, who works for a Protestant evangelistic organization at a major American University.

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The Orthodox Church is inconceivable without icons, lit candles and burning incense. The Orthodox Church is a Church of tradition, and the presence and use of icons in the Orthodox Church is a reflection of this tradition.

The word ICON comes from the Greek word EIKONA, meaning image. In its broadest sense an icon is any representation of a sacred personage, produced in many media and sizes. In the narrower sense it refers to a devotional painted wooden panel.

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Ethnic customs and traditions are not the main interest of St. John Chapel but nevertheless they are still seen as important expressions of past activities of missionaries. Orthodox missionaries have always Christianized local customs and traditions in order to bring the culture into the light of Jesus Christ. For this reason we celebrate their wisdom by participating in many of these ethnic customs. We believe, following their example, we are in the process of Christianizing American ethnic customs and traditions.

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The symbol of the Christian Faith has been and will always be the Cross, for it is the sign of our Redemption by Our Lord Jesus Christ Who came to earth to suffer for us by being crucified upon the Cross. When people wish to show that something is dedicated to Christ they mark it with a cross. The Cross is placed on church buildings, on the Holy Gospel, on the sacred vestments, on banners, and over the graves of the departed. All Christians wear their baptismal crosses because they are dedicated to Christ.

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Why We Light Candles

Christ said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus Christ IS that light. He is the light that shines for us in the midst this world of darkness. And anyone who follows Him need not fear that darkness because we know that Christ will always shine for us, leading us in the Way to the Father. Each time we light a candle, we are called to remember that it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the True Light and that He and only He will grant us True Life.

Clergy and Administration

Fr Andrew Harrison

Pastor Emeritus

Reader George

Reader and Chanter

Julia

Christian Education

Tom

Sacristan

2020 Holy Week Services
Each day of Holy Week has its own particular theme. The theme of Monday is that of the sterile fig...
July 24th: A Day of Mourning
The Ecumenical Patriarch has designated July 24th as a day of mourning for Orthodox Christians across the world as the...
1st Sunday of Lent: Sunday of Orthodoxy
St John Chapel celebrates the First Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of Orthodoxy on March 8, 2020...
St Paul Orthodox Church Mulundu, Kenya
St Paul Orthodox Church in Mulundu, Kenya has begun building renovation and new construction with help from our parent church,...